Dwelling Deeper: Stories from the Hard Places

From Pastor’s Kid to Missions Director | Dwelling Deeper 107

Episode Summary In this episode of Dwelling Deeper: Stories from the Hard Places, Josh Roberts talks with Ashley Thomas, a missions leader who grew up as a pastor’s kid and never planned to serve in church ministry—until God rewrote her story. Today, Ashley leads a church that supports more than 350 missionaries and ministries locally, nationally, and around the world. She shares how faith, family, and calling intersected in unexpected ways—and how rest, mentorship, and creativity have sustained her along the way. Ashley also opens up about the prophetic moment that led her to Dwell, and the beauty she sees in a Church that’s becoming more intergenerational, intercultural, and creative than ever before. This conversation is about faithfulness when no one’s watching—and the joy of simply listening to where God is already at work. Favorite Quotes “I never wanted to be on church staff.” “Sabbath is key to my spiritual health.” “Ministry does not require perfection.” “We try to find those places where He’s moving.” “I find enormous joy in listening to people.” What You’ll Learn * How Ashley’s journey from reluctance to leadership reshaped her calling * Why mentoring and encouragement sustain long-term ministry * How her church mobilizes 350+ missionaries worldwide * What the pandemic revealed about creativity and renewal in the Church * How contemplative prayer and creativity help leaders stay grounded Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Ashley Thomas and Her Journey 01:54 – Growing Up as a Pastor’s Kid 04:08 – Turning Point: Sister’s Illness and Faith 06:04 – Transitioning into Ministry 08:45 – Working with Family in Ministry 12:48 – Mentoring the Next Generation 16:43 – Balancing Leadership and Personal Growth 18:53 – Creating Space for Spiritual Renewal 26:59 – Connecting with Missionaries Worldwide 31:40 – Encouraging Visionary People 34:30 – Ashley’s Journey to Dwell 38:43 – God’s Call and the Future of the Church 45:43 – The Impact of COVID on Church Dynamics 49:16 – Dwell’s Intergenerational Community 54:17 – Ashley’s Artistic Expression Listen & Follow Follow and share Dwelling Deeper: Stories from the Hard Places on: 👉 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dwelling-deeper-stories-from-the-hard-places/id1831805699] 👉 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1W18k5jhEYT9mfXL9uuwDB?si=b5b2b7495bee4030]

Faith, Perseverance, and Community in Boulder’s Hard Soil — Episode 106

In this episode of Dwelling Deeper, host Josh Roberts engages Paul and Patty Durbin, leaders of Belay Church in Boulder, Colorado—a city known both for its vibrant culture and its deep resistance to established religion. The Durbins open up about the challenges of planting a church in one of the least religious cities in America, how their years in China shaped their ministry, and the unexpected ways COVID-19 slowed them down so they could lean into deeper, relational discipleship. Their story is marked by perseverance, grace, and the quiet power of ordinary moments. You’ll hear how they’ve learned to let expectations come from the Spirit of God, why sabbath and sabbatical matter, and how they’ve found joy working together in ministry. This is encouragement for anyone serving in a hard place: God is present, even in the unseen and the everyday. Memorable Quotes * “COVID helped us take our time.” * “This is the place where the prodigals run to.” * “Expectations can come from the Spirit of God.” * “Worship is in all the ordinary things.” What You’ll Learn * Why Boulder remains one of the most challenging places for church planting * How lessons from China influence the ministry in the U.S. * Why COVID-19 reshaped Belay Church into a slower, more relational community * The importance of community, sabbath, and rhythms of rest in hard places * How God shows up in the ordinary moments of life and faith Resources & Links * Belay Church Website [https://www.belay.church/] * Paul Durbin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldurbin/] * Paul’s book: When Jesus Stole My Bread [https://a.co/d/3TxP2mG] Listen & Share Follow and share Dwelling Deeper: Stories from the Hard Places on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dwelling-deeper-stories-from-the-hard-places/id1831805699] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1W18k5jhEYT9mfXL9uuwDB?si=b5b2b7495bee4030].

Transforming “Sin City” with Authenticity and Community: Josh VanDusen’s Story

Summary Las Vegas may be known as “Sin City,” but for Josh VanDusen, it’s a mission field where God is writing new stories of hope. As a microchurch leader with Resolute Church and a nonprofit director at Club Christ, Josh shares what it means to live faithfully in a city marked by transience, brokenness, and opportunity. He opens up about battling imposter syndrome, pursuing healthy rhythms of life and ministry, and watching lives change through simple obedience to Jesus. This conversation is a reminder that God delights in using unlikely people to do His work in hard places. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance leadership with soul care—or how to walk authentically in a culture that prizes performance—Josh’s story will encourage and challenge you. What You’ll Learn * Why authenticity is essential for building trust in ministry * How microchurch models foster discipleship in diverse urban communities * The role of Club Christ in equipping and empowering Las Vegas youth * Healthy rhythms that sustain leaders facing burnout or discouragement * Stories of transformation that reveal God at work in unexpected places Sound Bites * “It’s okay to rest.” * “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey 05:12 Living in Las Vegas: A Unique Perspective 10:55 The Heart of Resolute Church 16:48 Authenticity and Vulnerability in Ministry 21:07 Empowering Urban Youth Through Reading Programs 22:19 Transformative Stories from the Community 22:29 Building Soft Skills for the Next Generation 23:20 Community-Centric Approach to Education 24:53 Transitioning into Nonprofit Leadership 27:54 The Mission of Club Christ 28:04 Finding Balance in Life and Work 33:19 Encouragement for Leaders in Difficult Seasons Follow and share Dwelling Deeper: Stories from the Hard Places. Find us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dwelling-deeper-stories-from-the-hard-places/id1831805699], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1W18k5jhEYT9mfXL9uuwDB], or Substack [https://dwellusa.substack.com]. Link: Club Christ [https://www.clubchrist.org/], Resolute Church Las Vegas [https://www.resoluteministries.org/], Josh VanDusen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-vandusen-651977a8/],

Dwelling Deeper 104 | Jason Hall

Living Out Dreams Unshakable: Jason Hall on Faith, Microchurch, and Mentorship In this episode of Dwelling Deeper, Josh Roberts sits down with Jason Hall—Dwell USA Task Force member, microchurch pastor in Katy, Texas, life coach, and founder of Dreams Unshakable [https://www.dreamsunshakable.com/]. Jason opens up about his journey from the Air Force to microchurch leadership, and how God led him into coaching others to uncover their calling. Together, they explore what it means to live an integrated life of faith—one where discipleship, mentorship, and community are inseparable. Jason shares candidly about the fear that often holds people back, the power of soul care for leaders, and why microchurches offer a unique setting for authentic discipleship today. This episode is also a timely invitation: Jason will be leading the Fall 2025 Dwell Cohort—a six-week online journey for new Dwellers starting in October. If you’re ready to dwell deeply in God’s presence and your community, don’t miss it. What You’ll Learn * Why discipleship is more about relationships than programs * How to face the fear of the unknown with faith and courage * The unique role microchurches play in shaping authentic community * Why mentorship and soul care sustain long-term ministry * How an integrated life brings deeper connection to God, family, and calling Highlighted Quotes * “Discipleship breeds community.” * “Fear of the unknown often keeps us from stepping into our God-given purpose.” * “Serving others can open doors you never expected.” Guest Links * Website: dreamsunshakable.com [https://www.dreamsunshakable.com/] * Email: JasonHall51@gmail.com * Instagram: @jasonjenniferhall [https://www.instagram.com/jasonjenniferhall] * Facebook: Jason & Jennifer Hall [https://www.facebook.com/jasonjennifer.hall] * LinkedIn: Jason Hall [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hall-b9b13030/] Dwell Cohort Info (Fall 2025) * What: Six-week online small group for 5–10 new Dwellers * When: Starting early October 2025 * Where: Zoom * Details & Registration: dwellusa.com/upcoming-events Listen & Follow Follow Dwelling Deeper: Stories from the Hard Places on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dwelling-deeper-stories-from-the-hard-places/id1831805699] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1W18k5jhEYT9mfXL9uuwDB?si=b5b2b7495bee4030].

Engaging Inner Loop Houston with Bill & Hannah White

Summary In this conversation, Josh speaks with Bill and Hannah White, who share their experiences in church planting and community involvement. They discuss the evolution of church planting, the importance of authenticity in ministry, and the challenges they faced along the way. The Whites emphasize the significance of family, community engagement, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. They offer valuable insights on defining success in ministry and the necessity of support and mentorship in difficult seasons. Takeaways Don't do it alone; seek support and mentorship. Authenticity is crucial in ministry and community engagement. Define success on your own terms, not by others' standards. Community involvement is essential for effective ministry. The journey of church planting is filled with challenges and growth. Celebrate individual stories of impact over numerical success. Engagement beyond church walls fosters deeper connections. Be prepared for the unexpected in ministry. Strive for authenticity in all interactions. God's plans often exceed our expectations. Sound Bites "We never quit on the same day." "Don't do it alone." "Define success in your ministry." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Village Heights and Its Leaders 01:33 The Journey of Church Planting 04:31 Evolving Perspectives on Church Leadership 07:21 Authenticity in Ministry 10:27 Engagement in the Community 13:25 Challenges and Lessons Learned 16:22 Navigating Community Relationships 26:50 Navigating Political Engagement as a Pastor 31:09 The Power of Individual Stories in Ministry 37:44 Saying Yes to God: Embracing Opportunities 41:57 The Humbling Journey of Church Planting 47:38 Defining Success in Ministry